Heart Disease: Causes, Risks, and What Happens After Surgery

When we talk about heart disease, a group of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. It’s the number one killer in India, and many don’t see it coming until it’s too late. It’s not just about high cholesterol or old age. It’s about how your body handles sugar, stress, and silence—when you ignore chest tightness, breathlessness, or fatigue because you think it’s just tiredness.

Heart surgery, a major procedure to fix blocked arteries, replace valves, or repair damaged tissue. Also known as cardiac surgery, it saves lives—but it’s not the end of the story. Up to 42% of older patients report brain fog, memory lapses, or mood shifts after surgery. Why? Tiny clots, inflammation, or even anesthesia can briefly disrupt blood flow to the brain. These aren’t rare side effects—they’re common, and they’re treatable if caught early. And if you’re overweight or have diabetes, your risk of complications goes up. That’s why Ozempic, a medication originally for type 2 diabetes that also helps with weight loss and heart protection, is now being used by cardiologists—not just for weight, but to lower the chance of needing surgery in the first place.

Day 3 after surgery is often the worst—not because of pain alone, but because your body is fighting inflammation while your mind tries to catch up. People report feeling different: more irritable, forgetful, or emotionally flat. This isn’t "all in your head." It’s biology. And recovery isn’t just about healing the chest—it’s about healing the brain, too. If you’re on diabetic medications, like GLP-1 agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors that help control blood sugar and reduce heart strain, your surgeon will want to know. These drugs don’t just lower glucose—they lower your risk of future heart events.

What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a practical guide to what really happens before, during, and after heart disease turns serious. From who’s at highest risk for surgery, to why personality changes happen, to how weight loss drugs like Ozempic are changing the game—you’ll see how these pieces connect. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what you need to understand your heart, your risks, and your next steps.